Method and processing system for determining the spatial structure of a control system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to automatic determination of the spatial structure (topology) of a control system ( 2 ) with respect to the position/optional positions of components (S 1 -S 4 ) in a system. Information on the spatial structure of a selected system component (S 1 ) is determined with respect to the optional positions of other system components (S 2 -S 4 ) by providing an information module (I 1 -I 4 ) which is respectively associated with the system components (S 1 -S 4 ), containing information on the spatial structure of each respective system component (S 1 -S 4 ) which can be accessed via an associated interface.

[0001] The invention relates to a method and to a processing system for determining the spatial structure of a control system with respect to the positions/positioning possibilities of system modules.

[0002] A control system, for example an automation or process control system, is generally composed of a number of system modules. System modules are understood here to be all components which are contained or may be contained in a control system. System modules include software components and in particular hardware components. Examples of system modules in the present sense are bus systems, for example a ring bus system or a field bus system, as well as control system units and terminal components. Control system units are understood here to be, for example, automation system units or system units of process control systems, which form an enclosed control unit and are used, for example, to control specific plant components. These control system units may therefore be conceived of as a subsystem of the superordinate control system. Terminal components may be computer units, measuring units, actuation and control units or the like. Software modules in the sense of system modules are, for example, communications interfaces or data processing programs.

[0003] A complex control system for an industrial plant is generally planned in a first step on a computer by suitably combining the desired components, that is to say the system modules, in order to implement the plant concept. Here, the different system modules are usually presented in an electronic catalog.

[0004] In the course of the planning, the spatial structure of the control system is gradually built up with respect to the positions of the system modules. The spatial structure is also referred to as topology. As a rule, the individual system modules already have their own predefined spatial structure (topology). If a specific bus system is selected as the system module, for example during the planning, this selection simultaneously predefines a spatial structure. For example, the selected system module defines a ring bus which provides in total a specific number of connection possibilities. The underlying topology is also fixed when a specific control system unit is selected. This is because, for example, a hardware configuration is fixed for this unit, said configuration assigning a fixed number of switchboxes (racks) on a first level and assigning a fixed number of mounting locations (slots) to each switchbox in a second level.

[0005] During the planning, the operating personnel are confronted with the problem that they must be very familiar with the individual system modules, in particular with their spatial structure. This problem is similarly also encountered with existing plants or in the case of only partially planned plants in which additions are to be made. The operating personnel must use their own knowledge of the individual system modules in order to recognize the topology of the control system and determine, for example, where there are still free locations for hardware components.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of permitting the spatial structure of a control system to be determined automatically with respect to the position/positioning possibilities of system modules.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by means of a method for determining the spatial structure (topology) of a control system with respect to the positions/positioning possibilities of system modules, in which information on the spatial structure of a selected system module is determined with respect to the position/positioning possibility of further system modules, in that an information module which is respectively assigned to the system modules and which has information on the spatial structure of the respective system module is provided, and in that the information on the spatial structure of the selected system module is interrogated via an interface which is assigned to its information module, and is subsequently further processed.

[0008] The decisive advantage of this method is the fact that the topology information can be stored and called. The information can be determined automatically by means of a simple interrogation routine. In this way, the operating personnel do not require any extensive knowledge of the spatial structure of a system module, that is to say of the arrangement or arrangement possibilities of further system modules or components. The selected system module will have been selected, for example, by the operating personnel during the initial planning as the main or basic system module. However, even in the case of an existing control system, the selected system module may also be a system module which is already integrated in the plant.

[0009] In order to permit simple planning, the determined spatial structure of the system module is represented graphically. In the simplest case, this is carried out in that the topology is represented on a display device, for example a screen.

[0010] During the determination of the positions/positioning possibilities of the selected system module, it is preferably detected whether one of the positioning possibilities is occupied by a further system module. This is of decisive advantage in the case of already existing plants or in the case of partially planned plants, in order to be able to provide an overview of the already existing topology. The operating personnel are therefore informed of whether individual positions of the selected system module are already occupied. The personnel therefore recognize immediately at which positions there are still expansion possibilities.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the information indicating that a specific position is occupied by a further system module is stored in the information module of the selected system module. This ensures that changes are registered in the course of planning and stored at a single location which contains the topology information with respect to the respective system module. This has the advantage that when the topology information of the selected system module is called, the information as to which position is already occupied appears immediately.

[0012] In an expedient embodiment, information indicating which position is occupied by which further system module is simultaneously stored. The operating personnel are thus provided not only with the information indicating that a position is occupied but also with the information indicating which further system module is occupying this position. In this way, the further system modules which are arranged at the selected system module therefore also become transparent, and the topology of the control system is easy to understand for the operating personnel.

[0013] The further system module is preferably represented graphically at the respective position here. The graphic representation is in particular selected here in such a way that by reference to the symbols the operating personnel recognize immediately which of the system modules it is.

[0014] In one particularly expedient embodiment, each system module is assigned an identifier. The identifier comprises in particular a type identifier and an entity identifier. The type identifier indicates in this case the type of the system module, and the entity identifier stands for a specific system module of this type. The type identifier is abstract in the sense that it is independent of the specific embodiment of the respective system module. The entity identifier is abstract in the sense that it is independent of the planning software (application program) and may contain system-specific data. The identifier is therefore embodied as a type of key which permits only one abstract assignment.

[0015] As a result, the system for automatically determining the topology is of comparatively simple design. If, specifically, a further system module is already placed at the selected system module, the information indicating which of the system modules it is is merely stored in the form of the identifier in the information module which is assigned to the selected system module. The identifier ensures an unambiguous assignment of the system module. Via the interface of the information module of the selected system module, the topology information of the selected system module is therefore transferred, plus the identifier of further system modules which are already present at specific positions of the selected system module.

[0016] The advantage is the fact that neither an application for automatically determining the topology, that is to say for example a planning software package, nor the information module of the selected system module, has to know the actual topology of the further system module. The communication between the planning software (application program) and the individual information modules therefore takes place via the respective interfaces of the information modules in an encrypted form, and is independent of component-specific and manufacturer-specific peripheral conditions relating to the respective system modules. This makes the system easy to expand. A new system module can easily be integrated.

[0017] For this purpose, all that is necessary is to implement a correspondingly configured information module and to assign a specific identifier.

[0018] The assignment of an information module to the respective system module is therefore preferably carried out by means of the identifier. In particular, the assignment is carried out exclusively by means of the identifier.

[0019] In one expedient configuration, when a system module is used repeatedly its information module is assigned a plurality of identifiers, and a different data record is created for each identifier in the information module. All that is necessary is therefore in each case one information module per system module, even if said system module is allocated repeatedly. This has the advantage that the general information on the system module which is stored in the information module only needs to be stored once.

[0020] Preferably, for a simple assignment, each identifier is assigned a specific information module (via the type identifier) in a memory table. This permits simple orientation or “navigation” of the planning software.

[0021] During the determination of the topology of the selected system module, it is preferably determined immediately whether a further system module has a spatial structure, and which spatial structure, with respect to the position/positioning possibility of additional system modules. The structure of the further system module is preferably determined here and represented—in the same way as that of the selected system module. The topology of the selected system module forms a first topology level and the topology of the further system module forms a further topology level. This makes it easily possible to represent topologies with very different degrees of complexity with a multiplicity of topology levels for a control system with comparatively little expenditure. A significant element here is the identifier which makes it possible to navigate without difficulty in the planning software, even through complex structures. The suitable embodiment of the interfaces which are assigned to the respective information modules and which are embodied, for example, as what is referred to as a “COM Interface” is essential for this. This COM interface is embodied in particular as key/identifier for the respective information module.

[0022] The navigation through the spatial structure of the control system is carried out here in such a way that, starting from the selected system module, the planning software navigates to the corresponding information module by reference to the identifier assigned to said system module, and the topology information is obtained from said information module via the interface. If a number of positions are occupied by further system modules, the identifiers of said system modules are transferred from the information module of the selected system module to the planning software. In the next step, the planning software actuates the information module which is assigned to the respective identifier and calls the topology information which is associated with this identifier. Each information module of a system module therefore includes cross-references to the following topology level, which has further system modules.

[0023] The object is also achieved according to the invention by means of a processing system for determining the spatial structure of a control system with respect to the position/positioning possibility of system modules, in which

[0024] information is stored on the system modules which each have a defined spatial structure with respect to the possible positioning of further system modules,

[0025] each system module is assigned an information module which has information on the spatial structure of the respective system module,

[0026] each information module is assigned an interface via which the information on the spatial structure can be transferred,

[0027] a planning software package is provided by means of which the spatial structure of a selected system module can be interrogated via the interface, and in which

[0028] the determined spatial structure can be fed to an output unit.

[0029] The advantages and preferred refinements which are disclosed with respect to the method are to be appropriately transferred to the processing system. Advantageous refinements of the processing system are given in the subclaims.

[0030] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the spatial structure of a control system,

[0032]FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a processing system for carrying out the method for determining the spatial structure of the control system, and

[0033]FIG. 3 shows the representation of the spatial structure according to FIG. 1, each system module being assigned an interface for transferring information to a planning software package.

[0034] The spatial structure or else topology of a control system 2 according to FIG. 1 comprises a multiplicity of different system modules S1-S4. The control system 2 has, as selected system module, also referred to as main system module, a bus system S1, for example a field bus, having five connection positions 4.0-4.4. The bus system S1 comprises only one level here. While the positions 4.0 and. 4.1 are unoccupied, in each case different system modules S2.0, S3, S4.0 are provided at the positions 4.2 to 4.4.

[0035] The first numeral of the designation of the system modules indicates here a type identifier, and the second numeral an entity identifier. A terminal component S4.0 without a further independent spatial structure is connected here as system module to the connection position 4.2. This terminal component S4.0 is, for example, a display device or input device.

[0036] A control system unit S2.0 which has an independent spatial structure, specifically a tree structure with a plurality of connection possibilities on two levels, is connected as system module to the connection position 4.3. Such a control system unit S2 makes available, for example on the first level, a number of switchboxes or racks which in turn have a number of plug-in locations, in particular for terminal components S4, on the second level.

[0037] A ring bus S3 with three connection positions 6.1 to 6.3 is connected as system module to the connection position 4.4. Here, a terminal component S4.1 is connected to the connection position 6.1 on the next level. A further control system unit S2.1, which has the same basic topology as the control system unit S2.0, is provided at the connection position 6.2. They differ only with respect to the specific occupation of their connection positions. Some of the connection positions of the further control system unit S2.1 are occupied by terminal components S4.2-S4.4. For the sake of simplicity, a distinction is not made here between the terminal components S4. However, as a rule terminal components S4 with different functions which define respectively independent system modules will be arranged at the different positions. In particular, such a system module can also be represented by a software module which controls, for example, communications sequences between hardware terminal components.

[0038] The control system 2 according to FIG. 1 accordingly has a total of three topology levels. The first level is formed here by the bus system S1. The second topology level is formed by the system modules which are connected to the main system module (bus system S1), and the third topology level is formed by the system modules which are connected to the system modules of the second topology level. Here, one system module can itself have a plurality of levels within one topology level—as do, for example, the control system units S2.0 and S2.1.

[0039] Such a control system 2 connects, for example, the individual components of a complex system to one another. Here, plant components which are a large distance apart are connected to one another via the bus system S1 (field bus), and for example an enclosed subunit of the entire system is controlled using the control system unit S2.0. The same applies to the ring bus S3 with the terminal components S4, and the control system unit S2.1 which is used, for example, to control a further subsystem of the entire system.

[0040] The method for automatically determining the spatial structure (topology) of the control system 2 with respect to the positions/positioning possibilities of system modules S1 to S4 which can be combined with one another is explained below with reference to a processing system 10 according to FIG. 2. The processing system 10 comprises four information modules I1 to I4 which are each assigned to the system modules S1 to S4 according to FIG. 1. The processing system 10 also comprises a user or planning software package 12, an output unit 14 in the form of a screen with a display 20 and a selection field 22, as well as a memory table 16 which the planning software package 12 accesses. The processing system 10 is installed, for example, on a local computer unit and all the information which is necessary for the processing system can therefore be accessed centrally.

[0041] The individual information modules I1 to I4 each have an interface 18, a program module PM1 to PM4 and an information unit Topo 1 to Topo 4. The program modules PM1 to PM4 contain general program components for the respective system module which characterize said module and permit, for example, its implementation in the control system 2. Information on the spatial basic structure of the respectively assigned system module S1 to S4 is stored in the information units Topo 1 to Topo 4. In the case of the system module S1, that is to say of the field bus, this topology information on the basic structure would consist in the fact that the system module S1 is a field bus system with a total of four connection positions. This topology information according to the information unit Topo 1 is represented by way of example in the display 20 of the output unit 14. In addition to the information unit Topo 1 to Topo 4, the information modules I1 to I4 each have data records D1 to D4 in which information on the specific refinement of the topology of the respective system module S1-S4 is stored. The data records D1 to D4 accordingly contain information indicating which positions are occupied by which further system modules.

[0042] For this purpose, the data records D1 to D4 are schematically represented as a table whose first column indicates the position of the system module S1 to S4, and the second column indicates the identifier number (ID) of the system module S1 to S4 which occupies this position. The design of the control system 2 according to FIG. 1 is represented in the data records D1 to D4 according to FIG. 2. The data record D1 indicates here that the positions 0 and 1 of the system module 1 are not occupied, while the position 2 is occupied with a system module to which the identifier number or identifier K4.0 is assigned. The same applies to the positions 3 and 4 to which in each case a system module with the identifier K2.0 and K3.0 is assigned.

[0043] The information module I2 has a total of two data records D2 and D2.1, since—as is apparent from FIG. 1—the basic structure of the system module S2 is used twice in the control system 2, the two control modules S2.0 and S2.1 having different structures with respect to their specific configuration. For this reason, in order to identify them unambiguously it is necessary for each specific system module S2.0 and S2.1 to be assigned a separate identifier and for the information module I2 of the respective identifier to make available specific assigned topology information. The data records D2.0 and D2.1 are each assigned to the identifier K2.0 and K2.1 (K2=type identifier, 0.0, 0.1=entity identifier). Here, the system module S2.0 with the identifier K2.0 is arranged at the position 3 of the system module S1, as is apparent from the data record D1 of the information module I1.

[0044] The position information in the data memories D2.0 and D2.1 is composed of two numerals, the first numeral indicating the first level of the system module S2, and the second numeral indicating its second level. Accordingly, on the first level a total of three positions are possible (01-03), and in the second level a total of nine positions (11-19) are possible. As no further system modules are connected to the system module S2.0, the second column in the data record D2.0 is free. In contrast, according to data record D2.1 the position 1 of the system module S2.1 (cf. FIG. 1) is occupied by a system module with the identifier K4 (therefore a terminal component), as are the positions 11, and 12. According to the same system, the data memory D3 is also occupied. The data memory D4 is in principle empty as the terminal components representing the system modules S4 do not have their own position possibilities for the connection further system modules.

[0045] In the memory table 16, the assignment of the identifier number or identifier to the respective information module I1 to I4 as well as, for example, to a describing designation of the respective system module S1 to S4 is stored. The describing designation is indicated by the letters A to D, which each represent a specific system module.

[0046] In order to plan a complex control system 2, the user (operating personnel) adopts the following procedure: the planning software 12 presents the user with a selection field 22 on the output unit 14, in which selection field 22 the different system modules S1-S4 which are in principle available are specifically designated by A-D. The user selects a specific symbol module in a known fashion by clicking on and dragging the symbol representing the system module onto the display 20. The planning software 12 then uses the memory table 16 to assign which information module is assigned to the name of the system module and navigates to the respective information module via its interface 18. In the present case, for example, the particular system module A was selected (represents system module S1) to which the information module I1 is assigned. From I1, the planning software 12 receives the topology information from the information unit Topo 1. At the start of the planning, the data record D1 is empty so that only the basic topolgy is transferred by the information module I1. This basic topology is displayed on the display 20, for example in the form represented. Starting from the selection of the particular system module by the user, the method for determining the spatial structure assigned to this system module proceeds completely automatically and the user immediately receives information as to the positions at which he can place further system modules.

[0047] In the next step, he occupies, for example, the position 4.3 of the represented field bus, selected by him, with the system module B which is known to him by name (represents system module S2). Now, in the same way as before the planning software 12 determines automatically the topology of the system module B and uses it to navigate to the information module I2 by means of the memory table 16. From said information module I2 it receives the basic topology information from the information unit Topo 2 via the interface 18, and represents said basic topology information graphically at the position 4.3. There is also the possibility for the system module A to be represented initially by means of a symbol at this position and for the entire structure to be represented only in response to an input signal of the user. At the same time as the occupation of the position 4.3 with the system module B, the planning software 12 causes the identifier K2.0 for the system module S2.0 to be stored in the data record D1 at the position 3. These steps are repeated successively until the user has terminated or interrupted the planning. After the planning, all the relevant information relating to the topology of the entire control system 2 is stored in the processing system 10.

[0048] If it is then necessary to expand or change this control system 2, the existing spatial structure of the control system is determined by the planning software 12 in the same way. In order to start this method, all that is necessary is an instruction that the selected system module or main system module is represented by S1. By reference to this information, the planning software 12 navigates to the information module I1, therefore calls the topology information from it and represents said topology information graphically on the display 20. At the same time, the planning software 12 receives the information indicating that a number of positions are occupied, and receives the identifiers K2.0 to K4.0 of the further system modules S2-S4 at these positions. With reference to the identifiers, the planning software 12 assigns, by means of the memory table 16, the information module I2-I4 which is responsible and calls the further topology information relating to the second topology level from them. For each further system module S2-S4 the system automatically recognizes here whether further system modules S2-S4 are arranged at this system module S2-S4, and where these system modules S2-S4 are arranged. Thus, the complete topology of the control system is built up in a simple and completely automatic way and can be represented on the display 20.

[0049] An essential element here is that the planning software 12 itself does not have to have any detailed knowledge of the respective system modules S1-S4 as the navigation takes place independently of the specific features of the respective system modules S1-S4. Instead, an abstract, manufacturer-neutral identifier K1-K4 is provided which permits simple and rapid assignment and navigation in order to be able to call the necessary information quickly. In particular, this system presents, in a simple way, the possibility of integrating a new system module. To do this, all that is necessary is to provide a further information module which characterizes to the new system module and to correspondingly expand the memory table 16.

[0050] According to one preferred refinement, the interfaces 18 which are assigned to the respective information modules I1 to I4 also perform functions relating to the identifier. Such an interface is embodied, for example, as what is referred to as a COM interface. The respective information modules I1-I4 preferably generate themselves the entity identifier and type identifier assigned to them and present them at the interface (COM interface) as abstract information. The identifier can thus be accessed by the other information modules and the planning software.

[0051] Hitherto, it was assumed that the information is stored centrally at one location. As an alternative to this, there is provision according to FIG. 3 for the specific information relating to the individual system modules S1-S4 to be stored directly in situ, that is to say in a decentralized fashion at the location of the respective system modules S1-S4. With such an arrangement, it is, of course, also possible for there to be mixing between the central storage and decentralized storage. In FIG. 3 in which a control system 2 with the same structure as in FIG. 1 is illustrated, the decentralized storage is indicated by the fact that the respective information modules I1 to I4 with the interfaces 18 are assigned at the system components S1 to S4. In order to determine the existing spatial structure of the control system 2, for example the planning software 12 is connected to the bus system S1 and firstly calls the information from the information module I1 via the spatial structure of the bus system S1. The spatial structure is built up in the same way as described in FIG. 2, with the difference that the individual information modules I1-I4 are not stored centrally but rather have to be called directly in situ in a decentralized fashion. The communication is carried out here via the bus system. 

1. A method for determining the spatial structure of a control system (2) with respect to the positions/positioning possibilities (4.1-4.4;6.1-6.3) of system modules (S1-S4), in which information on the spatial structure of a selected system module (S1) is determined with respect to the position/positioning possibility of further system modules (S2-S4), in that an information module (I1-I4) which is respectively assigned to the system modules (S1-S4) and which has information on the spatial structure of the respective system module (S1-S4) is provided, and in that the information on the spatial structure of the selected system module (S1) is interrogated via an interface (18) which is assigned to its information module (I1), and is subsequently further processed.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the spatial structure is represented graphically.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which, during the determination of the positions/positioning possibilities (4.1-4.4;6.1-6.3), it is detected whether one of the positioning possibilities is occupied by a further system module (S2-S4).
 4. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which information indicating if a position (4.3,4.4)) is occupied by a further system module (S2-S4) is stored in the information module (I1).
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, in which information indicating which position (4.3,4.4) has been occupied by which further system module (S2-S4) is stored.
 6. The method as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, in which a further system module (S2-S4) is graphically represented in the graphic representation at the position (4.3,4.4) which is occupied by this further system module (S2-S4).
 7. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which each system module (S1-S4) is assigned an identifier (K1-K4).
 8. The method as claimed in claims 7 and 5, in which an information module (I1-I4) is assigned to the respective system module (S1-S4) by means of the identifier (K1-K4).
 9. The method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which when a system module (S2) is used repeatedly its information module (I2) is assigned a plurality of identifiers (K2.0,K2.1), and a different data record (D2.0,D2.1) is created for each identifier (K2.0,K2.1) in the information module (I2).
 10. The method as claimed in one of claims 7 to 9, in which each identifier (K1-K4) is assigned a specific information module (I1-I4) in a memory table (16).
 11. The method as claimed in one of claims 3 to 10, in which it is determined whether the further system module (S2-S4) has a structure, and which structure, with respect to the position/positioning possibility (6.1-6.3) of additional system modules (S1-S4).
 12. The method as claimed in claim 11, in which the spatial structure of the further system module (S2-S4) is interrogated via an interface (18) which is assigned to its information module (I2-I4).
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the spatial structure of the selected system module (S1) is represented together with that of the further system module (S2-S4).
 14. A processing system (10) for determining the spatial structure of a control system (2) with respect to the position/positioning possibility (4.1-4.4;6.1-6.3) of system modules (S1-S4), in which information is stored on the system modules (S1-S4) which each have a defined spatial structure with respect to the possible positioning of further system modules (S2-S4), each system module (S1-S4) is assigned an information module (I1-I4) which has information on the spatial structure of the respective system module (S1-S4), each information module (I1-I4) is assigned an interface (18) via which the information on the spatial structure can be transferred, a planning software package (12) is provided by means of which the spatial structure of a selected system module (S1) can be interrogated via the interface (18), and in which the determined spatial structure can be fed to an output unit (14).
 15. The processing system (10) as claimed in claim 14, in which the output unit (14) is designed to graphically represent the spatial structure which is determined.
 16. The processing system (10) as claimed in claim 14 or 15, in which each of the information modules (I1-I4) is assigned a data record (D1-D4) in which the information on the respective system module (S1-S4) is stored, and in which changes to the spatial structure of the system module (S1-S4) can be stored. 